Iran News Round Up

The Iran News Round Up ran from February 2009-September 2018. Visit the Iran File for the latest analysis.

Key takeaway: Any implementation of the Supreme Leader’s ordering of the armed forces to “exit” certain economic activities is unlikely to curtail the armed forces’ control over Iran’s economy significantly.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered the Armed Forces General Staff to direct the IRGC and the Artesh to “exit” economic activities that are “irrelevant” to their missions. Defense Minister Artesh Brigadier General Amir Hatami stated that the armed forces will continue with any economic activities required by the “government’s needs,” including operations in the construction sector. Hatami did not specify what economic holdings the IRGC and the Artesh will divest.

President Hassan Rouhani has struggled to reduce the IRGC’s role in Iran’s economy during his presidency. The extent to which the IRGC or the Artesh will implement the Supreme Leader’s order - or indeed, whether they will implement it at all - is unclear. Any attempts to divest the IRGC’s extensive holdings are likely to encounter significant challenges, such as finding private buyers with sufficient capital. Previous efforts at privatization have not improved Iran’s economy significantly, and have even benefited IRGC-controlled foundations. The IRGC in particular also maintains significant off-the-book economic holdings.


This Iran News Round Up predominantly covers events from January 18 - 22.

AEI Must Reads
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January 25, 2018

Iran’s Hardliners Can Leverage the Post-Protest Space.

Marie Donovan argues that Iran’s hardliners are undermining the regime’s best chance at improving Iran’s economy in the long run in, “Iran’s Hardliners Can Leverage the Post-Protest Space.”

January 25, 2018

Iranian Anti-Regime Protests and Security Flaws: Dataset and Graphics

Mike Saidi demonstrates how the recent protests highlighted weaknesses in the readiness of Iranian security forces in a dataset using videos submitted by Iranian protesters. View the dataset here and the graphics here.

January 25, 2018

Why Did the U.S. Sanction Iran’s Sadegh Amoli Larijani?

Marie Donovan discusses the political background of Iran’s newly-sanctioned Judiciary Head Sadegh Amoli Larijani in, “Why Did the U.S. Sanction Iran’s Sadegh Amoli Larijani?

Citations & Links

Citations & Links

Citations & Links

Economy
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January 24, 2018

Khamenei orders IRGC and the Artesh to “exit” some economic activities.

Defense Minister Artesh Brig. Gen. Amir Hatami announced in an interview on January 20 that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered the Armed Forces General Staff to direct the IRGC and the Artesh to “exit… economic activities” that are “irrelevant” to their missions. Hatami also reportedly stated that the armed forces will continue with any economic activities required by the “government’s needs,” including including operations in the construction sector. Hatami did not specify what economic holdings the IRGC and the Artesh will divest. (IRAN)

Citations & Links

1. IRAN
http://www.iran-newspaper.com/Newspaper/Page/6697/1/454808/0

Domestic Politics
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January 24, 2018

Rouhani highlights government’s efforts to address corrupt lending crisis.

President Hassan Rouhani discussed the government’s efforts to compensate victims of corrupt credit and financial institutions during a televised interview. Rouhani promised that Iran is “determined” to resolve problems related to unregulated credit and financial institutions, and pointed to the substantial compensations the Central Bank has provided in the past to investors who have lost savings to corrupt lending institutions. Rouhani stated that he ordered the Central Bank “to no longer issue licenses to new private banks,” likely an effort to keep more credit and financial institutions from failing to repay depositors. Unlicensed credit and financial institution’s inability to repay depositors sparked protests in early 2017 and may have been a precursor for the recent widespread protests throughout Iran.  

  • He said the government will increase its foreign reserves and expressed confidence that the Iranian rial will stabilize in the near future. Rouhani affirmed the right for people to protest within legal limits but stressed that “unrest worries the people.” (President.ir) (YJC)
January 24, 2018

Friday prayer leaders warn of enemies’ exploitation of people’s economic grievances.

Tehran Interim Friday Prayer Leader Ayatollah Emami Kashani and Qom Friday Prayer Leader Ayatollah Hashem Hosseini Busheri urged the government to tackle inflation and unemployment to prevent the U.S. and Israel from taking advantage of the country’s economic problems. Zahedan Interim Friday Prayer Leader Hojjat ol Eslam Ebrahim Hamidi said that the people are looking to the government to solve unemployment and inflation, but warned Iranians “not to fall into the enemies’ designs and plans.” Rasht Interim Friday Prayer Hojjat ol Eslam Gholam Reza Shafizadeh highlighted the Iranian government officials’ “heavy burden” of addressing the people’s demands. He warned  officials not to use addressing the people’s demand as an “excuse” to move the Islamic Republic “in the enemies’ path,” likely a criticism of President Hassan Rouhani’s efforts to improve Iran’s economy. (IRNA) (ISNA) (ISNA) (ISNA)

 

January 25, 2018

Hardliner clerics rebuke Rouhani for veiled comments on criticizing religious authorities.

Senior clerics accused President Hassan Rouhani of denying the infallibility of the Prophet Muhammad and the Imams, a prominent Shia Muslim doctrine. Rouhani stressed that even the Prophet Muhammad allowed his followers to criticize him, and that Muslims will likewise criticize the 12th Imam upon his return in remarks on January 8. Twelver Shia hold that the 12th Imam, or successor to the Prophet, has been in hiding since 874 AD, and that clerics can substitute for the authority of the 12th Imam on some issues in his place. The Society of Qom Seminary Teachers stated that Rouhani’s remarks were in “stark contradiction of Islam and Shia religion” and called on Rouhani to focus on improving the economy and to “refrain from entering into issues of belief.” Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi claimed that Rouhani is creating discord at a time when unity is needed. He also stated that Rouhani should concentrate on reducing inflation, creating jobs, and creating a healthy internet environment. Conservative clerics’ rebuke of Rouhani highlights the increased tension between Rouhani and regime hardliners after recent anti-government protests. (Tasnim News Agency) (BBC Persian) (Mehr News Agency) (Radio Farda)

 

 

Citations & Links

1. President.ir
http://president.ir/fa/102541

2. YJC
http://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/6409795/%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AE%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B4%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%85-%D9%85%D8%AB%D9%84-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%DA%A9%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B7%D9%88%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%B9-%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%87%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%85-%D9%85%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D9%86%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D9%88%D8%A7%DA%AF%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%83%D9%86%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%AE%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%AA-%D8%AF%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%B3%DA%A9%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%A7-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84-97-%D8%A8%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87-%D9%85%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%AF

Citations & Links

1. IRNA
http://www.irna.ir/fa/News/82800733

2. ISNA
https://www.isna.ir/news/96102915605/

3. ISNA
https://www.isna.ir/news/96102915603/

4. ISNA
https://www.isna.ir/news/96102915585/

Citations & Links

1. Tasnim News Agency
https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1396/10/27/1630178/%D9%88%D8%A7%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%B4-%D8%A2%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D9%85%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%85-%D8%B4%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B3%D8%AE%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%AE%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AE%D8%B7-%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B2-%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%87%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%AF

2. BBC Persian
http://www.bbc.com/persian/42722097

3. Mehr News Agency
https://www.mehrnews.com/news/4200601/%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%88%D9%82%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%B2%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B9%D8%AC-%D8%B8%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%A2%D9%86%D9%88%D9%82%D8%AA-%D9%87%D9%85-%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%AF-%D9%86%D9%82%D8%AF-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF

4. Radio Farda
https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran_community_teachers_qom_seminary_statement_rouhani_comments/28976327.html

Regional Developments and Diplomacy
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January 25, 2018

Bagheri: Turkey needs to “clarify” strategic aims during Afrin operation against Kurds.

Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) Chief IRGC Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri asked Turkish Chief of the General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar to clarify Turkish strategic aims regarding its Afrin operation against U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in northern Syria during a telephone conversation on January 21. Bagheri said that “no damage should be done to Syria’s territorial integrity, independence, and governance.” Bagheri called on Turkey to "clarify that it is not [contemplating to take] Syrian land and that no such operation should lead to Syria’s enemies and the Islamic world’s enemies to take advantage [of the situation].” Bagheri also stressed that the “U.S. and its supporters should not be allowed to take advantage of the situation in order [to fulfill] their acquisitive ambitions in Syria.” Turkey launched an operation against U.S.-backed Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in Afrin, Aleppo Governorate, Syria on January 20. (Sepah News)

January 25, 2018

Supreme Leader advisor calls for creation of anti-U.S. alliance with Iraq and Pakistan.

Senior Military Advisor to the Supreme Leader IRGC Maj. Gen. Yahya Safavi suggested that Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and other countries form an alliance to counter the U.S. and its allies in western Asia. Safavi asserted that 2,000-3,000 armed U.S. personnel currently operate in 25 percent of Syrian territory and warned that the U.S. is maintaining and exploiting conflict zones to instigate disputes in the region. (Defa Press)

  • Foreign Minister calls for increased regional security network. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called for the establishment of a “Regional Dialogue Forum” in the Persian Gulf in a Financial Times op-ed. According to Zarif, the post-ISIS environment offers an opportunity for Middle Eastern states to work together in a cooperative security arrangement. He acknowledged that there would likely be conflicts of interest, but stated that these conflicts did not have to result in an unstable region. (Financial Times) (E) (PressTV) (E)
January 25, 2018

Iranian officials meet with KRG Prime Minister Barzani.

President Hassan Rouhani, Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Ali Shamkhani, and Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani all emphasized Iran’s support for a unified, stable Iraq, as well as close relations between Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan during a meeting with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani in Tehran on January 21. Shamkhani expressed Iran’s support for all dialogue and cooperation between Iraqi Kurdistan and the Iraqi central government during his meeting with Barzani. Larijani stated that the KRG should advance its political agenda alongside the Iraqi central government. (IRNA) (IRNA) (IRNA)

 

 

Citations & Links

1. Sepah News
http://sepahnews.com/index.php/component/k2/item/5134-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%AA%D9%84%D9%81%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D8%A6%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%B4-%D8%AA%D8%B1%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D9%84%D8%B4%DA%A9%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D8%B4%D8%AF-%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B5%DB%8C-%D8%A2%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%B1%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B0%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-3%E2%80%8C%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B6%DB%8C%D8%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%82%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%88-%D8%AD%D8%A7%DA%A9%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%A8%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A2%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AF.html

Citations & Links

1. Defa Press
http://defapress.ir/fa/news/275177/%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%81%E2%80%8C%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B7%D9%82%D9%87-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%AD%D9%81%D8%B8-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B4%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%BA%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A2%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA

2. Financial Times
https://www.ft.com/content/c0b6bc36-fead-11e7-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5

3. Press TV
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018/01/22/549748/Iran-Zarif-region-Daesh-defeat

Citations & Links

1. IRNA
http://www.irna.ir/fa/News/82803056

2. IRNA
http://www.irna.ir/fa/News/82802905

3. IRNA
http://www.irna.ir/fa/News/82803513

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